#DailyDownload Thur May 17, 2018

Daily Download 5.17.18 - Confrontation, Challenge & Confession

Check out this really HONEST conversation:

Confession - I wanted to quit
Praying through rejection
Spiritual maturity
Acts 2 focused churches
Small/microchurches & Megachurches
Navigating the challenges of Christian living

Last night, I wanted to quit.

Man, last night I was confronted with a harsh reality. I learned that many (and I mean MANY) people who I've been journeying with over the past few years, building church with, huddled in prayer with, poured into, invested in, believed for, served alongside have unfollowed me on Instagram. It stung a little, ya know. It felt like rejection. It caused me to question, "God, what is happening...why are they exiting my life...what is it about me or my messaging that is so annoying or offensive...I thought I was obediently walking on the path of authenticity, speaking bold truth, releasing words of encouragement, and provoking quality conversation...why is this happening? Am I in error?"

I confess...

I know this is silly to even admit. I'm ashamed to confess that it rattled me as it did. I pulled out my journal and got before God in prayer with a heavy heart. Holy Spirit gave me the song by Lauren Daigle, Hear my Heart Lord. I put it on repeat and journaled my heart out. I begged for widsom and revelation. I flat out admitted to God that I wanted to quit. I wanted to delete Instagram and Facebook and even wipe this site. {So dramatic, right?!} I realized I had developed an unhealthy relationship with social media if I was that discouraged by the statistics. I fully take responsibility for the impurity of heart if I placed that much value on the opinions of man over the mandate of God. I am embarrassed to say this because the truth is I HAVE received MANY messages of confirmation that thank me for being real, bold, honest and sharing messages that met them exactly where they were and gave them great comfort and encouragement. And I consider these messages a great honor and confirmation to keep going. But last night... I just wanted to be DONE with this so that I don't have to experience the pain of rejection anymore.

Heartcheck!

HA! Isn't it no surprise I was faced with all this even AFTER sharing a message about praying through rejection in yesterday's Instagram Live (as contained in #DailyDownload - Wednesday May 16, 2017).

Truth be told, even the baddest, boldest more firey warriors of the Lord get deeply challenged; rocked, confronted, assaulted, attacked, and accused by the enemy and sometimes even people in their own camp. The sold-out, surrendered Christian life is blessed and beautiful as well as hard and hurtful. The life of ministry is NOT for the faint of heart. Don't be deceived. #TheStruggleIsReal and anyone who is uncomfortable with this reality is NOT ready to truly step into a life of serving God. Read your Bible, friend. Jesus had all kinds of warning about being hated, persecuted, rejected, oppressed, accused, and abused. And yet, despite the pain, His PROMISES will prevail: To give you life abundantly (Jeremiah 29:11), He will prepare a table for you in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23:5) .

“If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first.
”

— John 15:18

If you're not ready to share in His sufferings, you're not ready to share in His glory. Flat out. Love ya. But this is real life. And you must be prepared and armored up (Ephesians 6).

“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”

— Romans 8:17

What I'm listening to:

Strengthen Yourself in the Lord - Week 2 - Bill Johnson, Bethel.tv

Strengthen Yourself in the Lord - Week 3 - Bill Johnson, Bethel.tv

I'm going to take a slight step back from social media and dedicate more time producing encouraging and empowering content right here. I will not shrink back or shut up...I am convinced God is JUST getting started with me. So, I invite you to plug in your email so that you can track with me!